The B194 follows a zigzag route along the Essex/Hertfordshire border. The road was originally unclassified, gaining its number around 1935.
The road starts at traffic lights where the A121TOTSOs to bypass Waltham Abbey. The B194 briefly heads into town along that road's original route and soon reaches a surprisingly large roundabout. It follows the D2 first Waltham Abbey bypass (opened as A121) to another large roundabout where it turns left and joins its original route (which started in the town centre) for the first time.
The B194 becomes residential, taking longer than expected to leave town. It heads north and then detours around a hill to lessen the gradient of the climb. This section is known as the Crooked Mile. After going through Holyfield we go over a saddle to reach the village of Lower Nazeing where traffic lights are reached and we TOTSO left. The road crosses the flood plain of the River Lea, which contains the Lea Valley Park, and then go over the West Anglia Main Line to enter Broxbourne. After passing the turn for the station we cross the New River and then follow the residential Station Road to our terminus at traffic lights on the A1170.